Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026
Establishment of Cancer Stem Cell Cultures from Human Conventional Osteosarcoma
Published on: October 14, 2016
Childhood cancer in developing society: A roadmap of health care
P M Ramesh1, R K Marwaha, T S Anish
1Department of Pediatrics, Govt. TD Medical College, Alappuzha, Kerala, India.
Insights
Delays in diagnosing childhood hematological malignancies (HM) in North India were significant, with most children seeking care in the private sector. Sensitizing private practitioners to early cancer signs is crucial.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Hematology
- Public Health
Background:
- Assessed referral patterns for children with hematological malignancies (HM) in North India.
- Investigated delays in diagnosis and healthcare-seeking behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze referral patterns and diagnostic delays in pediatric hematological malignancies.
- To identify factors contributing to delays in diagnosis and treatment initiation.
Main Methods:
- Interviewed parents/guardians of children with HM between October 2001 and November 2002.
- Compared patient, health system, and total diagnostic delays between high- and standard-risk disease groups.
- Analyzed the number of healthcare contacts in relation to diagnostic delays.
Main Results:
- Of 79 children with HM, 47 had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL); 44 had high-risk disease.
- Median delays were 2 days (patient), 37 days (health system), and 38 days (total).
- 81% of patients sought care in the private sector; more contacts correlated significantly with health system delay.
Conclusions:
- Significant health system delays were observed in diagnosing pediatric hematological malignancies.
- The majority of children with HM accessed private healthcare providers.
- Educating private sector practitioners on recognizing early signs of childhood cancer (pallor, bleeding, fever) is recommended.
Background:
We assessed referral patterns of children with hematological malignancies (HM) in North India.
Materials And Methods:
The parents/guardians were interviewed at presentation, in the period between October 2001 and November 2002. Patient delay (symptom-contact), health system delay (contact-diagnosis), total delay (symptom-diagnosis), and number of contacts were compared between high- and standard-risk disease group.
Results:
Of the 79 children (55 boys; 69.6%) with HM, 47 (59.5%) had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Forty-four children had high-risk disease. The patient, system and total delay were a median of 2 days (with Interquartile range IQR of 1-6), 37 days (IQR 13-55), and 38 days (IQR 15-60) respectively. Majority of patients (64/79; 81%) went to private sector (non governmental health care providers) for health care. Number of contacts, which was the most significant, correlate with system delay.
Conclusions:
Sensitizing the private sector practitioners about cancer in symptomatic children (pallor, bleeding, fever) may be effective.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is limited...
01:30Primary Healthcare Services
In 1978, international leaders convened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, for what would be a pivotal event in global health. The Alma-Ata Declaration was the first to call...
02:12What is Cancer?
Although people have known about cancer for centuries, it was only in 1761 that Giovanni Morgagni of Padua performed a detailed autopsy of patients who died from...
02:12What is Cancer?
Although people have known about cancer for centuries, it was only in 1761 that Giovanni Morgagni of Padua performed a detailed autopsy of patients who died from...
01:21Cancer Survival Analysis
02:59Cancer Prevention
Some...